GRANUAILE
On the 24th of November 1580 The MacWilliam died. After a brief scuffle and negotiations Richard-an-Iarainn was installed and was later knighted in 1581. This put Grainne into a new role of power and amongst the other wives at one gathering she was singled out "among them Grany O'Malley is one and thinketh herself to be no small lady".
But on 30th of April, 1583, Richard died, surprisingly of natural causes. Grainne wasted no time and 'gathered together all her own followers and with 1,000 head of cows and mares departed and became a dweller in Carrikahowley in Borosowle'. Having been cheated of her right to one-third her first husband's estate she established her claim simply by taking it.
Sir Nicholas Malby, Governor of Connaught, died on 3rd March 1584. He was replaced by Sir Richard Bingham who was all but dedicated to the eradication of the Gaelic way of life by force. The main conflict was how succession was governed. In the Brehon laws the highest ranks of the clan elected a tainist who would succeed the chieftain upon his death. English law, in theory, was strictly from father to son. In practice the English government parcelled the land out as they saw fit and Bingham saw fit to remove the whole idea of clan and chieftain with English feudalism.
The Gráinne Mhaol - Directors Note
This production has been inspired by the extraordinary life of Gráinne Mhaol; a woman who shared many parallels with Queen Elizabeth 1. Grace O’Malley (c. 1530-1603) was born at a time of great political turbulence when the prevailing ethos in Ireland was still essentially, Gaelic. During her turbulent lifetime all of that was to change. Her challenge was to adapt to these changes or perish.
Kathi Leahy - July 2002
Media Reviews
Sunday Tribune
21 July 2002 - RA
IT is 15 years since Macnas first marched down the streets of Galway;
rebranding theatre in Ireland as it did so. Since then, theatre group
has managed its two strands, that of a community-based theatre company
and that of a cutting edge performance group, with massive critical and
popular success.
That it has been criticised in recent years for losing its community soul in favour of commercial gains has in many ways led to the redirection of the company; which last week saw it open its first theatrical production for two years and forgo for the first time a parade in Galway
However; the transfer of Macnas from the festival streets to the Big Top is in theatrical terms a seamless one. Its show 'Grainne Mhaol' is a vibrant; expressive piece of theatre which uses all of Macnas's creative ta1ents and imagination to put together a show that is as much a spectacle as any of the company's previous parades.
Memories
I invite all participants and/or those who saw the show to enter their memories into this space. Photos of the show most welcome
